Sturt showed why they will be a title contender on Saturday evening as they defeated Southern 84 to 64.

 

The 2016 premiers matched it with the Sabres for the majority of the match but Sturt’s resilience shone through as some of their younger players led the way for the basketball club.

 

Jacob Rigoni dropped 15 points while 17-year-old Ben Carter provided valuable minutes for the home side as he also scored 13 points.

 

The Tigers started the night off how they would have liked - Robert Linton had eight points alone in the first minutes of the game before Sturt were able to fight their way back into the match.

 

It wasn’t until Southern’s Anthony Drmic was ejected from the court for unknown reasons by the referees at three quarter time that Sturt were able to solidify their lead. They increased their margin to double figures and were able to hold off Southern’s offence.

 

The noticeable absence of Adelaide 36er’s captain Mitch Creek was evident while import Michael Nwelue found his rhythm too late in the match to have any damaging effect for the Tigers.

 

Big man Claybrin McMath and versatile forward Tim Klaosen steadied Sturt’s defence late in the night to ensure that the likes of Hamish Staude and Craig Catford weren’t able to find open shots.

 

Sturt travel to Wayville to take on Forestville next week while Southern will face South Adelaide at home.

 

 

Sturt

 

Jacob Rigoni: 15 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists

Ben Carter: 13 points, 2 rebounds and 1 assist

Claybrin McMath: 13 points, 8 rebounds and 2 steals

 

Southern

 

Robert Linton: 18 points (15 in the first half), 3 rebounds and 2 assists

Anthony Drmic: 15 points, 4 rebounds and 3 steals

Michael Nwelue: 10 points, 13 rebounds and 2 assists

 

Photo Credit: AllStar Photos